Ordination: 1971

Notes: After being ordained in 1971, Fr. Saul Ayala worked in and around San Bernardino for three decades before being accused of sexual harassment and misconduct involving a minor in June of 2002. Following the allegation he was placed on administrative leave, permanently banned from ministry in the Diocese, and allegedly moved to Mexico. Three months after the first accusation, two sisters filed a lawsuit claiming Fr. Ayala had sexually abused them as children from approximately 1988 to 1989. At the time of the alleged abuse, Fr. Ayala was assigned to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in San Bernardino and was also performing services at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Hesperia. The mother of the sisters who were allegedly sexually abused had allegedly reported the incidents to the Church in Hesperia back in 1988 and 1989, but nothing was done. The Diocese of San Bernardino eventually settled the case. The Diocese of San Bernardino listed Fr. Ayala as a priest with allegations of child sexual abuse “for which settlements were paid, but credibility not verified.” Fr. Ayala’s current whereabouts and whether he has access to children are unknown.

Assignments:

1972-1982 Unknown

1983-1984 St. Edward Church, Corona, CA

1985-1986 St. Joseph Church, Barstow, CA

1987-1989 Our Lady of Guadalupe, San Bernardino, CA

1990 St. Joseph Church, Fontana, CA

1991 Unknown

1992-1998 Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Church, Mecca, CA

1999-2002 Unknown

2003 Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine Church, Mecca, CA

2004-2018 Unknown